Analysis Of Characters
Othello, Iago and Desdemona.
Desdemona is the daughter of Brabantio, a man of reputation in Venice, and the wife of Othello, also a man spoken often of. She is part of the upper class of Venetian society. Desdemona may be perceived by the audience as a character to be admired and respected or as a naive young woman in need of attention . Desdemona’s banter with Iago can be played as polite conversation or controversial flirtation. Apparently, she has many suitors wanting her hand in marriage, but she freely chooses to marry Othello, a decision which upsets Brabantio, Iago, and Roderigo, to choose a “old black ram” over her other white suitors. . Desdemona is a more plausible, well-rounded figure that, and like Iago uses her credits to her potential, whether that be flirting or arguing. Arguments that see Desdemona as weak clearly ignore her first speech (“My noble father, / I do perceive here a divided duty” (I.iii.179–180). Desdemona is a strong minded woman who knows what she wants and is not afraid to get it or stand up to people that stand in her way.
Othello’s habit of “self dramatization” is linked closely to his military career as “captain of men” and “man of action”, from year to year- the battles, sieges, fortunes that I have passed.” His lavish language even when he is not self approving ensures he is the centre of dramatization. Othello is an extremely passionate person in what he does and in what he believes in. Othello is a general of the Venetian armed forces. He is a noble and imposing man, well respected in his profession as soldier, for being so high up, which would be rare for a black person in those days. At the beginning of the play, he enjoys great successes and everything seems to be going his way. Desdemona has chosen him over all of her other Venetian suitors. The duke of Venice also had assigned him to be incharge of the troups to defend Cyprus in the war. Beginning with the opening lines of the play, remains at a distance from much of the action that concerns and affects him. and refer ambiguously to a “he” or “him” for much of the first scene, demonstrating the lack of respect they have for him, also showing us that there maybe jealousy amongst the group of friends. When they begin to specify whom they are talking about they do so with racial comments, not names. These include“a Barbary horse” (I.i.113). “the Moor” (I.i.57), “the thick-lips” (I.i.66), “an old black ram” (I.i.88) Although Othello appears at the beginning of the second scene, we do not hear his name until well into Act I, scene iii (I.iii.48). So, from the start of the play we get a very biased opinion of him through his “friends”.
